LAUSR

Abstract We study the effect of three types of mesoporous silica (MPS) particles on the flow of three common excipients: microcrystalline cellulose, lactose and maize starch. While MPS are commonly considered as excipient and also as drug delivery carrier, the effects of MPS as flow aid additive and as powder stabilizer are investigated. MPS particles, called additive in the present study, are found to decrease powder cohesiveness, in particular for powders having higher water content and higher initial cohesiveness. According to both particle and pore size of MPS particles, the effect can be immediate (for small MPS particles having small pore size) or on the longer term (for larger MPS particles having higher pore size). Moreover, the electrostatic properties of the blends are modified by the presence of MPS. The quantity of electrostatic charge created in the blends during a flow in contact with stainless steel is decreased by the addition of MPS. We show that this decrease is induced by a modification of electric resistivity.